October 2017 Chemo Starters

[Shi]

Well I looked like a turtle head car air freshener this time last year was what I meant in last post, no offence meant to anyone who might be reading, it was my way of coping with no hair to try and laugh at myself 💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Shi]

Oh buddyfan ❤️❤️❤️Thank goodness you didn’t bang your head or anything, have they been able to set your arm? You are a saint, I’d have been off in a hotel by now if I were you, you really do have patience where your oh is concerned with your home renovations. Hows the bingo hair doing? My bingo hair is doing well, shame it’s not the 80’s we’d be right on trend 😁😁😁but hey it’s hair and I don’t look like a turtle head car air freshener 🤣😂🤣😂🤣have a happy New Year everyone. Mishy hope Ella’s had amazing Christmas and hope you’ve had great nana time ❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[buddyfan]

Jencat, what a wonderful Christmas pressy. Congratulations. My not so good news is that I broke my paralysed arm the week before Christmas. Silver linings, in and out of A&e in an hour, inc x ray, it's not related to my cancer or osteoporosis just that I have no muscle around my bone to protect it when I tripped backwards over some scaffolding boards! Also, didn't realise until two days later and it was four times it's normal size, very bruised and most worrying it was warm. Apparently normally a very painful place to break but as my arm is paralysed I don't get pain from it. I can even sleep on it. It did aggravate my neuropathic pain for a few days but that seems to have calmed down now. Anyway, enjoy the New Year ladies.

[WhyteFawn]

Merry Christmas everyone!!
Thank you for the card Jencat. Xx

[Jencat]

Happy Christmas lovely Oct '17 ladies, hope you all have a great time  xx

[Jelly tot]

Merry Christmas to all of you lovely ladies! Hopefully everyone will have a much better time than last year! Love and hugs 🎅🎄🍷🎶🐧💃🍹xxx

[Shi]

Jencat ❤️❤️😘😘very pretty napkins thank you 😁😁yes did remind me too of our lovely posh tea we had back in the summer. Now get that tinsel round you and enjoy beautiful family time this Christmas 😘😘💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Mishy18]

Meesh lovely to hear from you too great to hear you are doing so well x
Have an absolutely fantastic time this Christmas ladies whatever you are doing im sure you will all have a lovely day sending you 💖👭

[Chaffinch17]

Great news Jencat 🎉💕 and how lovely to get your celebration cake for free 😎
Have a lovely Christmas everyone it should be so much better than the last one for us. Love to all xx

[Shi]

Jencat ❤️❤️❤️Wonderful news darling so very 😁😁😁for you. Now go and spoil yourself to more afternoon teas and cream cakes ✨✨✨wonderful wonderful news, ladybowlers big pants did it again 👍👍💕💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Jencat]

Thank you Meesh x Can start enjoying Christmas a bit more now as although I have been,the CT scan has been at the back of my mind.

Have a lovely time with Karana and give her a hug from me x

[Jencat]

Thank you Jill x Tbh, I still can't take it in really. I should stop worrying a bit now, but I've spent the last 18mths worrying about bc.

We met the mother of my daughter's friend at the chemo unit yesterday and she's got terminal lung cancer, so I found getting my good results rather bitter sweet. I was thrilled for myself, but felt so sad for this lady.

YD and I went and celebrated in a tearoom afterwards and had cream scones (they were huge and I enjoyed every mouthful! ) and when the lovely lady on the till heard our good news she didn't charge us! How kind was that! (ED said typical,YD offers to pay for once and then doesn't have to! ) x

[Meesh73]

Great news Jencat! Another milestone achieved for you 🕺🏻💃🕺🏻

Mishy, lovely to hear from you. I've been out celebrating Xmas to make up for my lack of Xmas last year. What a difference this year. I'm off to see Karana today, she's going to do my nails and then we're going out for lunch and a few 🍹 🍹 😂 Hope everyone else is enjoying the run up to Xmas 🎅🏼🎄🎊🎉

[Jill1998]

Great news.

[Jencat]

Thank you Jelly tot x Good news, I was told yesterday that I'm in remission! I still can't really take it in that I haven't got cancer anymore having been diagnosed 18mths ago. The best Christmas present!

My chemo onc has now discharged me, which I wasn't expecting as I'm TN. I'd had the impression before that I would still see her for the first few years. I know that's a good sign, but I liked the reassurance of seeing her!

How are you? xx

[Jelly tot]

Hey Jencat any news lovely? 😘

[Jencat]

Thank you Mishy and Jill x Off to the hospital now! x

[Mishy18]

Oh im fine Jencat but thank you its more of an inconvenience than anything i had wanted normality back with job etc but i was made redundant as i was returning to work tgen this problem came up and thought how pointless to look for another job till this is sorted i wish it would hurry up but in the meantime im looking forward to maybe sone courses and finding some new skills as i couldn't go back into my old line of work too physically heavy working with the elderly although it can be very rewarding working in that environment takes its toll on you
Keeping everything crossed for you today xxx

[Jill1998]

Good luck this afternoon Jencat 🤞

[Jencat]

Thank you Shi for your lovely message x I'm feeling quite anxious about seeing the onc this afternoon. I've had this scan hanging over me for the past 6mths, but hopefully they wouldn't have left it for so long if they were worried that rads hadn't zapped the last bit of cancer?! x

[Jencat]

The foot massage was very relaxing Jill and I'm wondering if it might help a bit with the neurpathy I've still got in my toes x

[Jencat]

Thank you Mishy x sorry to read about all the pain you're in, thinking of you x

[Mishy18]

Jencat 💖👭 for to the counselling does help i found it really helpful after completing treatment we probably all get wobbly from time to time especially when feeling under the weather or when anniversaries arrive
Cannot believe its Christmas already im so unprepared but definitely am not doing the stressing about it thing just going to enjoy it, im a firm believer that stress caused mine in my rediculously stressful job i was always mentally exhausted and physically drained and strangely my boss who lived and breathed the place always stressful out couldn't sleep etc retired in September and waa diagnosed with bc 2 weeks later so it really has made me think i did the right thing taking redundancy im living off it still and after I have my operation in spine (on waiting list) will look at what i want to do instead im thinking of enrolling on a few courses in the new year
Well im going to settle down for the night with a hot drink and Christmas film it would be lovely to hear from some of the other October ladies to see how they are doing although i suspect aling with the May ladies are in Facebook or WhatsApp jf you are reading ladies i am sending you all my very best wishes for a lovely Christmas and New year 💖🎅🎄🌟👭

[Shi]

Bit of extra ❤️❤️❤️👭👭👭❤️❤️❤️❤️For you for tomorrow jencat 😘😘💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Jill1998]

Foot massage sounds very appealing !!

[Jencat]

Thanks Shi x I was also speaking to a lady this week (not on the forum) who has just had bc and she said she'd thought hers had been brought on by stress and I remember reading other ladies mentioning it on the forum.

I've now cut my hours at work to help alleviate some stress. Money is quite tight now, but it's worth it!

As well as my counselling, I've been having some free therapies from a local charity that Macmillan sorted out for me, which have been relaxing.The lovely lady comes to my house. I had a foot massage last week and having another one next week xx

[Jencat]

Glad you haven't got mets Jill, but sorry you've got a rare bone disorder, it sounds painful.

I think my rads onc, with the agreement of my chemo onc, wanted to wait for the scan because if it was done too soon it could give a false reading with scar tissue. I'm hoping they wouldn't leave me that long if they weren't pretty confident that everything was ok! xx

[Shi]

Hi jencat ❤️❤️For Monday darling. I think Stress played a part jencat but none of will ever know what it was that caused it. I don’t do stress now at all and focus on living, 💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻, having 😂🤣😂🤣😂😁😁😁😁😁and 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪times with all our amazing 💪💪💪💪💪beautiful women on here and in day to day life. I’m glad to read your sessions are helping you 👭👭this journey is so personal to each of us we all have our strengths and weaknesses and together we are eternally 💪💪💪💪💪💕💕💕✨✨✨✨Shi xx

[Jill1998]

Can't believe that you have had to wait this long for the scan.I have lots of issues with my bones - initially they thought it was mets but looks like it is rare bone disorder causing me to break bones for fun - lesser of 2 evils ? Waiting on results of tests .

[Jencat]

Thank you Jill x It's been hanging over me a bit since I finished rads in June and makes it harder to move forward not knowing if I'm actually cancer free.

Hope you're ok x

[Jill1998]

🤞for your results Jencat - hard not to be anxious - I hope you get good news .

[Jencat]

Hi Shi, I was interested to read on another thread that you felt stress had contributed to your bc as I've always felt that it was a factor for me getting it and I'm TN too xx

[Jencat]

Hi Chaffinch, thanks for your good wishes. I'm waiting for the results of a CT scan and will get them on Monday when I see my onc. I had it to check the few mm's of cancer that was behind my lump had gone. My onc said she'd be surprised if there was still anything there and I keep thinking surely they wouldn't have left me 6mths after rads finished before the scan if they were worried?! Even so,I'm anxious about the results xx

[Chaffinch17]

Hi Jencat, fingers crossed for results of MRI and bone scan. Hate the waiting x

[Chaffinch17]

Hi Angelblue. Sorry that you have to be here but it’s a very supportive place. Not sure how I would have coped without the ladies here.
I had 6 FEC and echo all of the advice above. I used a moisturising mouthwash specifically designed for dry mouth caused by chemo that began with a B but I never could remember the same they sell it in super drug for about £8 not cheap but worth it and I took Manuka 25+ honey made by Tiptree sold in most supermarkets.
Hope your treatment goes well and you avoid most of the side effects done people do. Pin a picture of New Zealand on the fridge to spur you on. My eldest daughter went there 3 years ago and loved it, so beautiful xx

[Meesh73]

Hello ladies! Haven't posted for a while been very busy with work and also makes no the most if Xmas celebrations as I missed out last year.

Buddyfan, really good to hear that your CT results showed no further changes that's good news. I keep losing a few pounds then putting them back on again 🙄

Angelblue, sorry to hear you're having to go through this. My situation was very similar to yours I thought it'd just be op and rads but my oncotype test was at the top of borderline and was told to have chemo. I had fecx6 and cold capped all the way through. I had my hair cut into a short inverted bob type hairstyle beforehand and it's more or less back to what it was before treatment. I lost quite a bit from the top of my head and the back and sides thinned but I did keep quite a lot (enough for me to brazen it out without a wig). I found sickness & dizziness to be the worst SEs with fec. I didn't fast but I did drink 3litres of water day before chemo, day of chemo and day after and then 2litres every day between cycles. I took m&s Manuka honey and didn't have any problems with my mouth but I also used my electric toothbrush on a sensitive setting and my airflosser too. If you want to pm me with any cold capping or fec questions then please feel free to do so. Wishing you 🍀🍀stay 💪💪💪 and remember we're all here for you! If you feel or are sick after your first treatment call your 24hr line as they can change your meds and do something about that!

[Jencat]

Buddy, so pleased to hear your good scan results xx

Thank you all for your good wishes x  I get my results when I see my onc on the 17th. She said she would be surprised if there was anything still there, but I was told my lump wasn't cancer, so I can't really relax until I get the results xx

[Jencat]

Hi angelblue, sorry you've got to join us and it must be especially hard when you were thinking you were only having rads.

I didn't fast during chemo and my appetite wasn't affected! (Only when my taste buds were altered and I couldn't taste much) I didn't have any sickness, but I did wear sea sickness bands during chemo and for about three days afterwards, so I don't if that's what helped.

I was on FEC (I had 3 FEC and 3 T) and cold capped, but unfortunately after using it for three sessions, I had lost too much hair on top for me to continue. I don't regret having a try though as I found it easier to lose my hair then than I would have done at the start of chemo.

I had a PICC line and glad I did. It didn't hurt having it fitted and it made having chemo a lot easier. (A bit of a pain in the shower, but you can buy waterproof covers so your line doesn't get wet) It was a bit of a nuisance sometimes having to go back to the hospital weekly to have it flushed, but on the other hand I found it quite reassuring to see the nurses on a regular basis and that I was being monitored.

I hope you manage to celebrate your birthday  as well as having your wig fitting! xx

[WhyteFawn]

Hi Angelblue
Welcome to the October 2017 thread.
I didn't try fasting. Though I did find I didn't want to eat much in the days following chemo. It's important to make sure you're eating and keeping your strength up.
I didn't cold cap and had 3xFEC and 3xT. My hair started to grow back on T as it's the FEC that causes hair loss. It will grow back it just might not start until you have finished all 6 chemos.
X

[Shi]

Hi angel blue, black nail varnish saved my nails, think buddyfan used an oil in her cuticles and she kept hers too. I had life Mel honey and I know some of the other girls used Manuka. Ask for difflam mouthwash in your goody bag at hospital but if you get thrush mouth ring the unit and get them to prescribe fluconzole don’t get fobbed off with drops. Get anosol and something like senility or movicol too the steroids will block your bum. At all times keep eye on temperature and if you don’t feel right even with no temp or pee burns phone rapid response, you can do this just keep safe darling and 😁😁😁😁and 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻And go as 🤪🤪🤪🤪as you like 😘😘💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[angelblue]

sorry..I meant Shi not Shri!! xx

[angelblue]

Hi all

Thanks for posting in the December 2018 starters shri and whytefawn, and thanks for inviting us to ask any questions in the Oct 17 thread. 

My chemo starts on Tuesday 11th Dec. Only found out last friday after 8 weeks of thinking only rads - so still getting my head around things. I'm having 6 lots of FEC. (Makes me think of Father Ted...I want to tell them all to FEC off!!)  I have a few questions ...any insights/advice really appreciated...

Did anyone try fasting before and after chemo day and what was the result on side effects..were they better?

Did anyone have FEC and cold cap and how did it go? 

Also I've read that some women  on FEC-T have found that they lost their hair on the FEC and it started growing again on the T...does this mean FEC is worse for hair loss?? (as i already have thin, fine hair I'm panicking)

Did anyone try Manuka honey for mouth sores?

I'm very phobic of canulas. I'm having one for 1st chemo due to lack of time and I'm considering PICC for 2nd. Did anyone have a PICC fitted and have positive expereinces to share?

Aaargh...so scared!! Trying to be positive though. Its my birthday on 10th (now have a wig trying session booked ...whoopee!!). I have decided that on my next birthday I will be in New Zealand and I will raise a glass to the me in December 2018. I'm also going to do as Shri, Wytefawn and others have done and post in a new starters thread to offer support and advice. I can't wait to be that post chemo me!! xx

[Mishy18]

Buddy so pleased about your ct results ive lost 2 stone since Chemo just by reducing portion size and eating healthy it was horrendous before i was diagnosed and was a porker getting whst with the new hair which by the way Buddy has flopped alot now just a wave i was a bit disappointed the last cut took my curls 😨 there one day gone the next girl explained its the weight pulling it down will be keeping everything crossed for your bone scan and good to hear you are well apart from blood tests causing you greif xxx

[Shi]

Hi buddyfan great news on your ct scan 👍👍 are you able to have some Christmas cake and more bulky stuff to eat? I’ve found weight has gone back on all to easily after having a few puddings. Hang on in there with the clown hair, we’ve only got a few more months of it before it’ll be long enough now 💪💪💪we just have to power through, found a good curl cream in Sainsbury’s, not sticky and tamed the frizz on the curls, might be worth a try 👍👍jencat hope you are ok 💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[buddyfan]

Hi all, Jencat here's hoping all is well. I had my CT scan results this week and no further nasty developments, which is the best I can hope for. I also had the nuclear bone scan today and they're going to send results apparently. Now I don't have a line, they really struggle to find a vein in my paralysed arm, can't use the other one due to the lymph removal. The onc assured me that my weight loss is not sinister. I have been eating off small plates but I really haven't changed my diet that much, I was doing the small plate thing before cancer. I've lost a stone since Jan, grateful but a little worrying.

My hair still hasn't flopped yet. I'm toughing it out, waiting for the curly bob.

Love to all

[Mishy18]

Jencat hope your scan results were 👍 sending you big 👭

[Shi]

Sorry jencat I missed your post 😘😘🙏🙏🙏your scan has gone well darling 😘😘💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[WhyteFawn]

Hey all.
How did you get on Jencat? Do you have yiur results yet or still waiting?
Hope everyone is ok and getting set for Christmas 🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁👅🐧🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄

[Shi]

Hi mishy 😘😘thanks for that about tn. Glad you’ve found out so you can get on meds to help prevent osteoporosis. Have you taken Ella to see Santa yet 😘😘it’ll be a magical Christmas this year mishy, she’s old enough now to really know what it’s all about ✨✨✨✨💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Chaffinch17]

Hi Jencat, hope the scan was ok and that the results are good xx